SEC 400m champ Allen targets steady progression

Jamaica quartermiler Nathon Allen has targeted steady improvement after capturing the men’s 400m title at the SEC Outdoor Championships on Sunday.

Allen took the event in a school record of 44.28, which was the fastest time in the NCAA this year and fourth fastest in the world this season. The 22-year-old runner, who claimed silver at last year’s event, entered the meet ranked eighth in the SEC at 400m (45.92) and was understandably chuffed with the season's best.

"I came out with the intention of doing the best that I could," Allen said.

"Today is Mother's Day, so it was nice to call my mom and tell her I won for her on her day. It was a pretty good feeling. Last year I was second, this year I'm first. It's all about progression, I hope I can keep running better and stay healthy, and hopefully I can do my best when it matters most."

Allen became Auburn's first 400m SEC Champion since Avard Moncur in 2001 and his time broke Moncur's previous school best of 44.45 ran at the 2001 NCAA Championships. Allen’s compatriot Raheem Chambers was also impressive as he claimed second in the men's 100 with a new personal best of 10.10, besting his 10.15 ran in Saturday's preliminary round. The event was won by Georgia’s Kendal Williams in a time of 9.99.